By Thompson ABISOLA
The Executive Secretary, Electricity Meters Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (EMMAN), Mr Muideen Ibrahim, has called for overhaul of the power infrastructure in the country for higher efficiency and effectiveness in the energy sector.
Ibrahim, who made the call in Lagos on Tuesday said his call was made against the backdrop of the challenges facing energy evacuation in the power sector.
According to him, power generated cannot be fully transmitted because the transmission lines are weak, adding that some of the facilities needed to be replaced because the Discos could not distribute all the power due to weak infrastructure.
“The power infrastructure needs to be over hauled for higher efficiency and effectiveness, to reflect adequate power distribution to Nigerians.There is bulk passing and is seriously breeding inefficiency,’’ he said.
Ibrahim, also the Chief Executive Officer, BAMIB Resources and Investments Company Ltd. (BRIC), urged government to do more in repositioning the power sector, describing the power sector as the engine room of any economy.
He said: “Nigerians are the largest consumers of Toyota products in the world and there is no Toyota assembly plant in Nigeria.This is due to the fact that we are not yet there with respect to uninterrupted power supply.
“Goods and services produced in this country are far higher in price than those imported from China and other countries due to insufficient power supply.
“A lot of factories still run on generating sets, hence a lot of factories have closed down and the various warehouses now turned into religious centres.
“You may wish to visit Oregun, Ikeja, Ilupeju, Oshodi, Apapa and Ogba Industrial Estates to cross-check my assertion on this.”
According to him, this is no doubt affecting the economy and making the country a consuming nation.
“This was not the dream of our founding fathers at all. So, we need to wake up as a people, as players and as regulators.’’
The expert called on the Ministry of Power, NERC and other agencies saddled with power responsibilities to do the needful without further delay.
Ibrahim suggested that the rural areas should have electricity to curb rural and urban drift while those who erred while discharging their responsibilities be sanctioned.
He said that the challenge was no longer generation or transmission, but majorly distribution and provision of superlative services.
On effective metering, Ibrahim urged the Discos to key into government plans toward ensuring that all customers were metered within the stipulated time to avoid cheating electricity customers.
He noted that most of the Discos had not metered their customers, adding that estimated billings remained rampant with a lot of consumers short changed monthly.
He said that a machinery had been put in motion for the introduction of Meter Asses Programme (MAP) initiative, with the players fine tuning the process.
“I sincerely hope that it will soon be fully implemented by all the parties involved. All customers should be metered without further delay.
“This will be a win-win situation for all the players in the sector and manufacturers as well.
“Not only that, a lot of Nigerians will be gainfully employed if power is very stable or constant and artisans will also do their jobs.
“I recall with nostalgia that there was nothing bike (Okada) riders in those days, but the reverse is the case as we speak.“
